4 Responses to “* Kessler SECRETS OF THE FBI “Epilogue” (August 7, 2012): “Mueller has made it clear that FBI agents must have nothing to do with the NYPD Intelligence Division””

DXersaid

The new system pulls information from cameras, license plate readers, environmental sensors and law enforcement databases to provide real-time alerts and the means to quickly call up relevant information to guide and inform police action though a graphics interface. Its mapping features, which are tied to rich data sources, support investigations, crime analysis and effective management of police resources. The City has approximately 3,000 Closed-Circuit TV cameras connected to the Domain Awareness System. The majority of these cameras are in Lower Manhattan – south of Canal Street, from river to river – and in Midtown Manhattan – between 30th street and 60th street, from river to river. NYPD has begun to expand camera coverage to in the boroughs outside of Manhattan.

Comment: In Philadelphia/PA visiting the well-done Constitution Center (and its interactive exhibits), I was reminded that front license plates are not required in PA. The question of cameras is interesting. A man was killed between Pine and Lombard at 3 a.m. one night. Cameras might have readily solved the crime. Perhaps nothing interferes with liberty more than violent crime.

DXersaid

The FBI has let it be known that it has issues with the NYPD’s surveillance of Muslims to the point where the agencies’ relationship has been compared to a “dysfunctional celebrity marriage.” Although it’d be nice for them to get along, for national security and all, reconciliation does not appear to be any closer based on yet another new report that finds the feds undermining the department. … With all of the anonymous leaks and undermining, it’s like Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson, but with consequences ….

Comment:

If NYPD Intelligence proved the FBI to be mistaken in its conclusions regarding Amerithrax, would the FBI view that as a good thing or a bad thing?

What is the anonymous official’s qualification even to speak on the issue of constitutional law as distinguished from FBI policy? What precedent is he relying on?

Did you ever see an unattributed quote from Professor Cox or Professor Tribe?

By all means, the journalists should uncover the facts through FOIA and then legal scholars should weigh in on whether practices comport with constitutional precedent.

But anonymous leaks containing overbroad critiques? The country deserves better than having counterterrorism policy served up for public consumption like chicken McNuggets thrown out a drive-thru window.. See 911 Commission Report; Webster Commission report.

Since his appointment in 2002, Cohen has often circumvented the FBI. This column has long reported on Cohen’s penchant for sending Intel detectives on out-of-state investigations, where the NYPD has no legal jurisdiction, without informing the Bureau, as well as his and Kelly’s stationing Intel detectives overseas to rival the FBI.

In addition, both Cohen and Kelly have gone out of their way to publicly disparage the FBI. Both have stated they do not trust the FBI to protect the city from terrorism, that the NYPD must go it alone.”

Consider Amerithrax as a case study. Maybe instead of the softball questions asked by ProPublica, McClatchy and Frontline, a NYPD Intelligence analyst could ask AUSA Rachel Lieber why there is no mention of the 52 rabbits that were dying in Dr. Ivins B3 lab upon being challenged in early October 2001.

Maybe the NYC Mayor could ask the AUSA why the DOJ withheld all documents relating to the rabbits for years — and why the DOJ culled key emails and notebooks from production.

In the case of emails, instructing JP they not be produced (see his inbox) and in the case of notebooks, taking the only copy.

DXersaid

He spent 35 years with the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) before joining the firm. During his career at the CIA, Cohen guided the agency’s operations and analysis functions. He also served as the senior CIA official in the New York area.

From 1995 to 1997, Cohen directed the CIA’s Directorate of Operations, where he oversaw the agency’s worldwide operations, managed the CIA’s global network of offices and personnel, and maintained agency relationships with foreign intelligence and security services. From 1991 to 1995, Cohen was deputy director of the CIA’s Directorate of Intelligence, where he guided the agency’s analysis program, which reviewed every political, economic, and military assessment prepared by the CIA for the President and his senior national security advisors. Cohen’s career at the CIA was marked by his leadership in combating global terrorism, international organized crime, narcotics trafficking, money laundering, and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.